Incredible Artist Interview With Photographer Jean Macfal
You will definitely enjoy the following photographer interview with Jean Macfal of Newport News, Virginia! I will not even give you teasers, trust me, you are in for a treat!
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: Favorite word is “Published & Paid”. Least favorite “Free – more Exposure for you” Makes me feel taken advantage of!
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: My photos – creative visions.
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: Excellent if interested.
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: When I was a child.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: Capturing not only a moment, but an emotion connected to it.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: Brother at Soccer Game.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: Yes.
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: Some – not hung up on the “numbers game”.
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: Crop circles??? Of course cropping when necessary.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: India – Lots of Color.
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: Beauty to me is finding something pleasing to the senses.
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: I become more detail oriented.
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: Sh*t should had my Camera!!
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Equipment Failure.
Q: Who are your influences?
A: Annie Lebowitz and Suze Randall.
Q: What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else’s or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
A: Don’t have “A favorite image” .. every day is another opportunity for an even better photo!
Q: Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
A: Shooting Models, Military wives & girlfriends.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: Finding enough time to shoot, Edit, Take new business calls, manage website business.
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: The Puritanical Views of the Bible Thumpers in the USA!!
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: Animals – they don’t talk!!!
Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: Had a male contact me to come for a “Nude Photoshoot”. After arriving at my Studio, he informs me he would like me to take photos of him “shooting Pool Balls out of his asshole!!!” Offering to pay me 5 times my usual Rate. I, of course, declined the opportunity!
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: Yes .. Twice
1. Last photos of Model taken ( by me the day before) were used on her Missing Poster, she was later found Dead.
2. Model had asthma attack and died during a shoot. Me and others brought her back..she is still Brain damaged today from it.
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: Take a “moment”.
Q: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
A: Erotica, Fetish, Animals.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: One of many filters in Photoshop!
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: Artist – a person who creates Yes I am an Artist…among other things.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: Suze Randall meets Annie!
Q: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
A: Some have a problem in my area where I live with the Nude and Fetish imaging.
Q: Tell a little secret about yourself that no-one knows …
A: “Mob Mentality” scares me … probably burned at the stake or something in my past lives!
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: Saudi Arabian Women.
Q: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
A: Get Paperwork Straight .. IDS & SIGNED MODEL RELEASES!!!
Q: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
A: Working an established market that is very lucrative….hard work..more power to them..we all have a choice of what markets to sell to.
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: I think it is a great tool and I use it when needed to enhance only.
Q: What other thoughts would you like to share?
A: Models are a difficult breed and often change their minds about what they “want to be doing” and what they have done. I have had many models return to me after doing nude or erotic work (that they contacted ME to shoot TFCD with signed release) wanting all their Photos removed, discontinue all use of them and tear up the Model Release!….due to custody hearing, new boyfriend doesn’t like, wanting to “clean up” their image, etc.
MODELS!! Make sure of what you are doing BEFORE you sign the LEGAL PAPERWORK and you won’t get your feelings hurt in life!!
Visit Jean’s photographer homepage and MySpace profile.